The News in Brief
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Russia does not rule out review of visa regime cancellation for Georgia
Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Mikhail Galuzin talked about the cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens and said that "they do not rule out a positive decision" on this issue.
Also, he said that "despite the absence of diplomatic relations, Russian-Georgian cooperation is developing."
"In 2012, we unhesitatingly supported the course proposed by Tbilisi for the normalization of bilateral relations. And now, despite the difficult foreign situation and the absence of diplomatic relations, Russia-Georgia cooperation is developing. In the 11 months of this year, the trade turnover increased one and a half times compared to the same period in 2021 and reached 2.2 billion dollars. In parallel with trade, indicators are increasing in the direction of tourism and remittances.
As for diplomatic relations, I would like to recall that they were severed in 2008, at the initiative of Tbilisi, and [Tbilisi], unfortunately, continues to ignore the possibility of its restoration with its political demands, which contradict the new reality in the region. Thus, the ball is still in the Georgian side.
As for the prospects of canceling the visa regime for Georgian citizens traveling to Russia, we do not rule out making a positive decision as soon as the necessary prerequisites are established," said Galuzin.
PM Gharibashvil talks Georgia's European Integration at 'Ambassadors ' Conference'
The Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said at the opening of the Ambassadors' Conference that the government of Georgia "correctly and effectively" fulfilled the 12 recommendations determined by the European Commission to obtain the status of a candidate for EU membership.
"After the 12 priorities were defined, on the same day the ruling team, the ruling party, presented a very clear, clear road map to the public, including our partners. Mr. Speaker of the Parliament, the whole team was involved in this process, and we thoroughly, correctly, effectively fulfilled the said priorities, These recommendations. Working groups were created in the Parliament, unfortunately, I would like to note that the representatives of the opposition parties were not fully involved in this process, although in the end some of them participated."
According to Irakli Gharibashvili, granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in the summer of 2022 was a political decision:
"This year was marked by another very important positive event, which is the success of our country on the path of European integration. Our country adopted a European perspective. I agree, our expectation was that the country would receive the status of a candidate, unfortunately, we all understand very well that this political decision was not made I don't want to say anything derogatory about our colleague states, but you know very well that we are much, twice, three times ahead in terms of reforms, in terms of implementation in relation to Ukraine and Moldova, but it is clear, we understand very well that this was a political decision.
It was openly said that Ukraine was given the status of a candidate because it is at war, and Moldova was assessed as a state equal to the war. So we fully understand this motivation, but we only wish success to our friendly states, Moldova and Ukraine. We want peace and prosperity in these countries," said Gharibashvili.
Russia does not rule out review of visa regime cancellation for Georgia
Also, he said that "despite the absence of diplomatic relations, Russian-Georgian cooperation is developing."
"In 2012, we unhesitatingly supported the course proposed by Tbilisi for the normalization of bilateral relations. And now, despite the difficult foreign situation and the absence of diplomatic relations, Russia-Georgia cooperation is developing. In the 11 months of this year, the trade turnover increased one and a half times compared to the same period in 2021 and reached 2.2 billion dollars. In parallel with trade, indicators are increasing in the direction of tourism and remittances.
As for diplomatic relations, I would like to recall that they were severed in 2008, at the initiative of Tbilisi, and [Tbilisi], unfortunately, continues to ignore the possibility of its restoration with its political demands, which contradict the new reality in the region. Thus, the ball is still in the Georgian side.
As for the prospects of canceling the visa regime for Georgian citizens traveling to Russia, we do not rule out making a positive decision as soon as the necessary prerequisites are established," said Galuzin.
PM Gharibashvil talks Georgia's European Integration at 'Ambassadors ' Conference'
"After the 12 priorities were defined, on the same day the ruling team, the ruling party, presented a very clear, clear road map to the public, including our partners. Mr. Speaker of the Parliament, the whole team was involved in this process, and we thoroughly, correctly, effectively fulfilled the said priorities, These recommendations. Working groups were created in the Parliament, unfortunately, I would like to note that the representatives of the opposition parties were not fully involved in this process, although in the end some of them participated."
According to Irakli Gharibashvili, granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in the summer of 2022 was a political decision:
"This year was marked by another very important positive event, which is the success of our country on the path of European integration. Our country adopted a European perspective. I agree, our expectation was that the country would receive the status of a candidate, unfortunately, we all understand very well that this political decision was not made I don't want to say anything derogatory about our colleague states, but you know very well that we are much, twice, three times ahead in terms of reforms, in terms of implementation in relation to Ukraine and Moldova, but it is clear, we understand very well that this was a political decision.
It was openly said that Ukraine was given the status of a candidate because it is at war, and Moldova was assessed as a state equal to the war. So we fully understand this motivation, but we only wish success to our friendly states, Moldova and Ukraine. We want peace and prosperity in these countries," said Gharibashvili.